Case sealer

ABSTRACT

A machine for automatically sealing both the top and bottom flaps of cases of random sizes with product contained therein wherein the length, height and width of each case is automatically sensed and the machine is adjusted to define a case path therethrough, the bottom side flaps are dropped open sufficiently to permit adhesive to be applied to the inner bottom flaps and are supported to prevent the product from dropping therefrom, adhesive is applied to the inner top flaps and inner bottom flaps substantially simultaneously, and including means for folding the top side flaps and the bottom side flaps over the inner flaps and means for holding the case in a compressed state until the adhesive sets. The length of the adhesive line on the inner flaps is set in accordance with the width of the case in order to preclude application of adhesive to the product.

United States Patent 1 Miller et al.

[ CASE SEALER [75] Inventors: Joseph A. Miller, Englewood; Frank A. Kruglinski, Fort Lee; Anthony Freakes, Leonia, all of NJ.

[73] Assignee: General Corrugated Machinery Co.,

Inc., Palisades Park, NJ.

[22] Filed: June 21, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 264,995

[52] [1.8. Cl. 53/76, 53/374 [5 1] Int. Cl B65b 57/00, B65b 7/20 [58] Field of Search 53/76, 75, 374

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,302,367 2/l967 Talarico 53/76 X 3,496,697 2/1970 Loveland et al. 533/76 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Attorney-Samuelson & Jacob Nov. 6, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A machine for automatically sealing both the top and bottom flaps of cases of random sizes with product contained therein wherein the length, height and width of each case is automatically sensed and the machine is adjusted to define a case path therethrough, the bottom side flaps are dropped open sufficiently to permit adhesive to be applied to the inner bottom flaps and are supported to prevent the product from dropping therefrom, adhesive is applied to the inner top flaps and inner bottom flaps substantially simultaneously, and including means for folding the top side flaps and the bottom side flaps over the inner flaps and means for holding the case in a compressed state until the adhesive sets. The length of the adhesive line on the inner flaps is set in accordance with the width of the case in order to preclude application of adhesive to the product.

6 Clain s, 22 Drawing Figures Patented Nov. 6, 1973 12 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Nov. 6, 1973 12 Sheets-Shut 2 Patentgd Nov. 6, 1973 12 Sheets-Shoot 5 E "I- 'YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII.

Patented Nov. 6, 1973 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 6,1973 3,769,777

12 Sheets-Shut 5 Patented Nov. 6, 1973 12 Sheets-Shut (-5 Patented Nov. 6, 1973 12 Sheets-Shoot 7 W X: rrl

CASE SEALER The invention relates to a machine for automatically sealing the upper flapsand the lower flaps of cases. More particularly, it is directed toward sealing random sized cases and toward preventing the product from dropping out of the case while the lower flaps are partially opened to permit adhesive to be applied to the inner lower flaps.

Various constructions, have been used in prior art machines to adjust such machines for the processing of random sized cases and for preventing the product from dropping out while the lower flaps are partially open to permit adhesive application. Most of them have used relatively complex roller assemblies or similar structures to support the partially-opened lower flaps.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a machine which will seal both the top and bottom flaps of random sized cases automatically.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a machine which has an elevator which moves between an upper position and a lower position and which carries means for sensing the height of the case to be processed. g o

. It is a still further object of the invention to provide side guides as a means for centering the case between the sides of the machine 'and for adjusting the length of j the line of adhesive to be applied to the inner flaps of the case so that the adhesive is not applied to the product.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a hingedplatefor supporting the lower side flaps and the product in the case when the lower side flaps are open to permit application of adhesive to the lower inner flaps. g j

These and other objects, advantages, features and uses will be apparent during the course of the following description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. I

Broadly, the invention comprises a bed having an entrance endand an exit end-along which the case to be sealed is moved from station to station. A gate at the entrance endperrnits the entry ot? one case at a time and precludes or prevents such entry if the previous 'able side guides center the box in the lateral dimension on the bed and also serve to locate .the upper adhesive applying means and the lower adhesive applying means which are mounted below the bed so that the correct adhesive length is applied to the inner flaps and adhesive is precluded from being applied to the product. The side guides are also provided with hinged plates,

one on each side. guide support the opened lower side flaps so as to prevent the product from dropping out of the case during the adhesive applying step.

Inthe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation showing the steps for sealing a case with the case sealer of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of case sealer of the invention, utilizing four photoelectric cell systems;

FIG. 2A is an elevational view, viewed in the direction of arrow 2A of FIG. 2, showing a hot melt applicator gun and two wet glue applicator guns;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2, viewed in the direction of the arrows, with the lower side flaps open;

FIG. 4 is a partial view similar to that of FIG. 3 of the upper portion thereof, with the lower flaps of the case closed, I

FIG. 5 is a view, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2, viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a view, taken along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 2, viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the side guides and associated parts, viewed in the direction of .arrow 7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 isan elevational view, viewed in the direction of arrow 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view of the height sensing means and the upper inner flap closers of the machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view, viewed in the direction of arrow 10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged bottom plan view, viewed in the direction of arrow 11. of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 (on thesheet withFIGJl) is a partial, detailed schematic in plan of the side guides and associated parts; 7

FIG. 13 (on the sheet with FIG. 11) is an enlarged, side elevational view, partly broken away of an, upper compression roller used in the machine of the invention.

FIG. 14 (on the sheet with FIG. 11) is a sectional view, taken on the lines 1414.of FIGwlS, viewed in. the direction of the arrows;

FIGS. .15 andJ15A,=joined at the points A-K, together form a schematic diagram of the electrical system used with the'machine ofFIG. 2; V L

FIGS. 16 and 16A, joined at the points A-K, together form a schematic diagram of the electrical system used with a machine of the invention having three photoelectric cell systems;

FIG. 17 is a simplified, top plan view of the case sealer of FIG. 2 showing the location of the limit switches;

FIG. 18 is a simplified, side elevational view, viewed in the direction of arrow 18 of FIIG..17; and

FIG. 19 is a simplified-,end elevation view, viewed in the direction of arrow 19 of FIG. 17.

In the drawings, wherein, for the purpose of illustration, therein are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the same, the numeral 20 designates a case to be processed by the machine of the invention. It will be seen as this description proceeds that random size cases may be sealed because the machine contains standard sized cases in which the length of the inner flaps is a function of the width of the case.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the steps performed by the machine of the invention in sealing both the top and bottom flaps of random sized cases which have been filled with product prior to delivery of the case of the machine of the invention. At position A of FIG. 1, the case is seen with its upper side flaps 28, upper leading end flap 24 and upper trailing end flap 26 open to expose the product 21.

The case moves in the direction of arrow 22 to position B at which point the upper end flaps 24 and 26 are folded over the product 21 and the lower side flaps 30 are permitted to open a sufficient amount to permit adhesive to be applied to the lower inner flaps while preventing the product from dropping out of the bottom of the case.

At position C, adhesive lines 32 are applied to the top inner flaps 24 and 26 and to the lower inner flaps (not shown in FIG. 1). At position D, the side flaps, both upper and lower, are folded into contact with the inner flaps and as the case travels through the compression section the hot melt adhesive sets.

The particular machine illustrated and described herein utilizes thermoplastic adhesive, commonly referred to as hot melt adhesive. It may also be used for sealing cases with a combination of both hot melt and wet glue. The hot melt bonds instantly upon compression. The wet glue takes longer to bond. When wet glue is used with the hot melt, the hot melt holds the case closed until the wet glue sets. When both types of adhesive are used, in combination, less of the more expensive hot melt is used than when just hot melt is employed to seal the case.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is seen a side elevational view of a machine 35 of the invention. Machine 35 comprises a frame 34 and a bed 33 and receives the cases to be sealed from an infeed conveyor 36 and discharges cases to a conveyor 74 or other receiving unit in the plant. Conveyor 74 and conveyor 36 do not form a part of the invention.

If the machine is ready to receive a case, infeed gate 76 is below the level of the conveyor 36 and the case enters onto bed 33. Photoelectric cell systems 42, 44, 46 and 52 are utilized to control the operation of the machine which will bedescribed in detail later in this specification.

An elevator 48 and a pair of side guides 40 are adjustable to the height and width of the case so that the case is centered on bed 33 and the upper sealing mechanism is correctly positioned. The'elevator is moved by means of piston 68. The case is moved longitudinally, as required, along the bed 33 by means of a plurality of flight bars 77 which are affixed to a drive chain 38. Only one flight bar acts oneach case and the number of flight bars aflixed to the chain 38 is a function of the machine speed and the maximum size of the cases to'be processed.

A height sensing frame 50in the shape of an inverted U is carried by the elevator and carries a light source at the tip of one end of the U and photoelectric cell at the tip of the other end of the U. The light beam is interrupted by the upstanding side flaps of the case just delivered to the machine.

Affixed to elevator 48 is an upper front flap closer 54, preferably in the form of a bar, which closes the leading flap on command as the case moves along the bed and a trailing flap folder 56 which is a belt which is moved by a motor 57. A keel 58 holds the upper inner flaps closed while adhesive is applied from a gun 62 and until the side flaps are folded over the inner flaps by tilted bars 60. At substantially the same time that adhesive is applied to the upper inner flaps, an adhesive gun 64 applies adhesive to the lower inner flaps. The lower side flaps are reclosed by tilted bars 66 and compression is applied to the case in a compression section which comprises a set of upper rollers 70 and a set of lower rollers 72. As the case travels through the compression section, the adhesive sets and the case is sealed.

The above description is directed toward a case sealer utilizing hot melt only. One alternative construction is shown in FIG. 2A. It comprises a hot melt gun 62 and two wet glue applicators 61. The hot melt strips on the inner flaps hold the case closed until the wet glue sets. Other combinations of adhesive arrangements may also be used so long as hot melt is used to hold the case sealed initially when short compression sections are employed. If only slow setting adhesives, such as wet glue, are used, the compression section must be lengthened considerably.

In order to apply adhesive to the lower inner flaps, it is necessary to permit the lower side flaps to drop open while still remaining closed a sufficient amount to prevent the product from dropping out of the case. FIG. 3 shows the case 20 engaged by the side guides and with its lower side flaps 30 open and in FIG. 4 the side flaps are closed and the case has not yet become engaged by the side guides 40.

After a case has entered the bed 33, .the side guides 40 start moving toward the case in the direction of the horizontal arrows of FIG. 4 under the urging of hydraulic piston 82. Blocks 8,4, shafts 86 and plates 87 cooper ate in this operation the details of which will be described further on in this specification. When the case 20 is centered on the bed 33 and is in contact with both side guides 40, support plates 80, which are pivoted at points 81, are permitted to drop'by the action of air'pistons 88. This removes the lower support of hinged plates 78 which re affixed to side guides 40 and lower side flaps 30 open as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The amount that plates drop open is controlled by the stroke of the pistons 88.

While the side flaps are open, the adhesive is applied. It should be noted that while a single gun adhesive applicator with several orifices is utilized in the hot melt only system illustrated, a plurality of applicators may also be used or a combination of hot melt and wet glue may be employed, as is shown, for example, in FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the elevator moving mechanism which is seen to comprise piston 68 which. is operated by a hydraulic system motor and is mounted in frame 34. Piston 68 moves frame 90 with respect to upper shaft by means of chains 91 and 95. Followers 92 engage cylindrical shaft 94 and rollers 96 run along square shaft 98.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 12 illustrate the operation of the side guides 40. The guides start in their widest apart position and move toward each other under the urging of piston 82 (FIG. 3) until the rollers 102 of both guides come in contact with the case. When both side guides 40 are in contact with the case, limit switches 104 and are both operated by pivotable side bars 97 and 99 which pivot about pivots 101 and 103, respectively,

and cause bell cranks 117 and 119 to actuate limit switches 105 and 104. Actuation of these switches opens the electrical circuit to the side guides so that further inward motion of the guides is then prevented.

Limit switch 106 is moved by the cable network 107 in accordance with the position of the side guides 40 and is struck by the case to stop the flow of adhesive on the inner leading flaps. Similarly, limit switch 108 is positioned by cable network 109 and when it falls off the flight bar which is pushing the case, it starts the flow of adhesive onto the rear inner flaps.

Piston 82 (FIG. 3) is coupled to one block 84 (farthest left in FIG. 3) which is connected to its adjoining block 84 by means of a plate 87. Two opposite blocks 84 (one on each guide 40) are coupled together by means of chain 89 (FIG. 12) and both side guides 40 move in unison along shafts 86.

FIGS. 9, and 11 are detail views of some of the operating elements carried by the elevator. Inverted U member 50 carries the photoelectric system 2 (one element of which is the light source and the other is the photoelectric cell).

When the machine is ready to operate, the elevator 48 is in the uppermost position, the pair of side guides 40 are in the furthest outward position and the infeed gate is in the retracted position or below the level of the conveyor to permit the case 20 toenter the machine. As the case enters it will be propelled forward by a rubber roller 79 which is driven by motor 126. As the trailingend of the case, leaves photoelectric system 42, the gate 76 is operated to the up position to prevent the succeeding case from entering the machine. When the trailing end of the case leaves the driven rubber roller 79, case 20 comes to rest on bed 33. This causes the side guides 40 to begin moving toward the case. It also causes the motor 130, which drives the flight bars, to energize. The side guides 40 continue their movement until switches 104 and 105 are operated and cause the movement to stop. Simultaneously, the flight bar 77 has begun to move the case forward on bed 33 until the leading edge of the case contacts the beam of photoelectric system 46. This causes the flight drive motor 130 which is brake controlled, to stop and the elevator 48- beginsjfits downward movement. It continues descending'and as pivotable bar. 54 contacts the front open. The flight bar drive motor is energized to begin moving the case through the machine and to cause the motor 57 to energize and belt 56 to close top rear inner flap 26.

The control and electrical operation of the machine of FIGS. 2-14 utilizing four photoelectric cell systems may be understood by reference to FIGS. and 15A,

' which are joined at points A-I(, and the following discussion. Connection is made to a three phase a-c line through switch 123 which supplies power to the hot melt reservoir 222 (FIG. 17), to transformer 131 which.

supplies single phase voltage to thecontrol system and to the coils of the magneticstarters for the motors hydraulic pump motor 124, infeed motor 126, compression or discharge motor 128, rear flap closing motor 57 and main drive or flight bar motor 130).

The infeed motor 126 operates the roller79 just inside gate 76 to control the feed of cases to machine 32 at the proper time. Compression or discharge motor 128 operates the lower compression rollers to thereby move the case through the compression section and deliver the cases to exit conveyor 74. Hydraulic pump motor 124 operates the piston 68 for the elevator and piston 82 for the side guides. Pistons 88, which move the support plates, are operated by air supplied from the plants compressed air system. Main drive or flight bar motor 130 moves the cases through bed 33.

After switch 123 is closed, switch 132 is closed to supply power to the photoelectric cell systems 42, 44, 46 and 52 and start switch 138 is closed to start machine 32. Switches 136 are stop switches which are located at strategic locations to permit an operator to stop the machine. Thermistor 134 is normally open and closes when the hot melt reservoir reaches the proper temperature, nominally 300 F. I

If the hot melt temperature is high enough and switchesl23, 138, 136 are closed, current will flow through control relay 140 thereby closing normally open contacts 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3 (lines L 5 and L 6). Hydraulic motor 124 (line L 7) by closing switch 142 is turned on'and control is now available to the side guides and elevator. At the same time, contacts 140-1 close the circuit across the start switch 138 (line L 5);

The circuit is made through normally closed contact 180-5 (line L 8) to start infeed motor 126 and compression motor 128 (line L 9). Infeed motor 126 drives the roller 79 located just inside gate 76.

When the case interrupts the light in photoelectric system 42, contact 42-1 (line L 10) closes and solenoid 144 operates the infeed gate 76 to the down position to allow the case to enter the machine and current flows in .relay 146 closing' contact 146-2 (line L 11) and opening contact 1464 (line L 10). Contact 146-3 14s. The, time'delay relay. contacts 148-1 and 148-2,

which are normally closed, time out to open after a predetermined period.

If case 20 is too high when entering the machine, it interrupts the light beam in photoelectric system 52. This opens contact 52-1 (line L 10) and keeps gate 76 fromdropping, thereby precluding the entry of another case onto bed 33. At the same time, contact 52-2 (line L 41) closes and the elevator moves up until the light beam of photoelectric system 52 is uniterrupted. Then contact 52-2 opens and upward movement of the elevator stops. I

When case 20 interrupts the light in photoelectric system 42, contact 42-1 (line L 10) closes and current flows is solenoid 144, causing infeed gate 76 to drop to its down position and admit the case onto the bed. At

the same time, current flows in relay 146 (line L 11) and contact '146-1 (line L 10) opens and contact 146-2 (line L 11) closes and contact 146-3 (line L 12) also closes. If the case has cleared photoelectric system 42, normally closed contact 42-2 (line L 12) recloses and current flows in relay 150 (line L 12) and time delay relay 148 (line L 13). Then time delay relay contacts 148-1 (line L 11) and 148-2 (line L 13) time out and open after the prescribed period. The opening of time delay relay 148 contacts brings the gate 76 back up and returns relays 146 and 150 back to a deenergized position to be ready for the next case 20.

If the case has not cleared photoelectric system 42, no current flows in control relay 150 or time delay relay 148.

When the case interrupts the light in photoelectric system 44, contact 44-1 (line L 15) closes and contact 44-2 (line L 16) opens. Thus, current flows in control relay 154 (line L 15) and is precluded from flowing in control relay 156 (line L 16). Contact 154-1 (line L 10) opens, thereby preventing infeed gate 76 which is normally up, from being dropped. This precludes entry of another case onto bed 33. Contact 154-2 (lines L 14) and contact 154-3 (line L 16) close. Contact 154-2 serves to hold control relay 154 closed and contact 154-3 serves to complete the circuit to relay 156 except for contacts 44-2. When case passes through the beam of photoelectric system 44 so that it no longer interrupts the light, normally closed contact 44-2 (line L16) recloses and current flows in control relay 156 (line L 16). Contact 156-1 (line L 17) keeps relay 156 energized and control relay 159 (line L 19) is kept energized by contact 159-2 (line L 20). Contact 159-3 (line L 23) closes and permits current to flow in solenoid 162 to start side guides 40 toward each other.

Contact 156-2 (line L 20), which closes when control relay 156 is energized, starts flight bar motor 130 to push case 20 along bed 33. When case 20 interrupts the light in photoelectric system 46, contact 46-1 (line L 14) opens and flight bar motor 130 is stopped. Contact 46-2 (line L 20) closes the circuit to control relay 176 (line L 33) which is held energized by contact 176-2 (line L 34).

When the side guides 40 make contact with the case 20, the closed sections of limit switches 104 (line L 23) and 105 (line L 24) are opened and solenoid 162 is deenergized. This stops the inward movement of the side guides. It can .be seen that these closed sections are in parallel so that if a case enters the bed off center,the side guides will continue to move inward until both side guides engage'the case. i

The open sections of limit switches 104 and 105 (line L 26) both close when the side guides 40 are in contact with the case thereby energizing solenoid 166 and moving the elevator 48 down. At the same time control relay 164 (lineL 24) is energized and held so by contact 164-2 (line L 25).

When limit switch 55 is contacted by bar 54 (FIG. 9),

' the current to solenoid 166 isv interrupted by the opening of its closed portion (line L 26) and the downward movement of elevator 48 is arrested. At the same time, the open portion of switch 55 (line L 27) closes and thereby energizes control relay 168. Contact 168-4 (line L 28) holds it energized. Contacts 168-1 and 168-2 (line L 21) close and since contacts 164-5 and 176-3 are already closed, rear flap closing motor 57 starts and closes the rear flap of the case since flight bar motor 130 had also been started when contact 168-1 closed.

Control relay 182 (line L 37) was also energized by switch 55 and is held closed by contact 182-3 (line L 38). Contact 182-1 (line L 22) closes and energizes solenoid 160 which controls pistons 88 to drop the bottom side panels of the case.

Application of hot melt to the leading flaps is controlled by solenoids 190 and 192 and switches 106 and 206 which are struck by the case. Application of hot melt to the trailing flaps is controlled by solenoids 190 and 192 and switches 108 and 202 which are struck by the flight bar.

Switches 216 (line L 42) and 218 (line L 43) are closed when it is desired to apply adhesive to the top and bottom flaps, respectively and are opened if no such application of adhesive is desired. When case 20 is leaving the compression section, it contacts switch 200 (FIG. 17). The open section of switch 200 (line L 31) closes and energizes control relay 172 (line L 30). Contact 172-1 (line L 30) closes, thereby holding relay 172 energized. Contact 172-2 also closes. When switch 200 falls off the case, relay 174 is energized dropping out relays 172 and 174 and opening contacts 174-1 on line L 28 to drop out relay 168.

The flight bar contacts limit switch 201 (line L 34) which energized solenoid 186 (line L 40) and thereby moves the side guides out. The flight bar also contacts limit switch 203 (line L 38) which de-energizes control relay 182 which in turn de-energizes solenoid (line L 22).

Upon the flight bars contacting of limit switch 198 (line L 25), the switch opens and control relay 156 (line L 16) is de-energized. Control relay (line L 36) is the run and clear control relay and works in conjunction with the run and clear switch 152. Switch 208 (line L 35) is a flight reset switch which is used after clearing a jam.

Time delay relay 158 (line L 20) is energized when contacts 164-5 and 168-1 (line L 21) close and is used to delay the start of flight motor 130 through contact 158-1. Time delay relay 157 (line L 17) is used in case of a jam. It is energized when control relay 156 is energized and after a predetermined time, contact 157-1 (line L 5) will open and turn the machine off in the event that limit switch 198 has not been contacted by the flight bar 77.

The electrical system utilizing three photoelectric cell systems (52, 42 and 44) may best be understood by referring to FIGS. 16 and 16A which are joined at points A-K and the following discussion. This three photoelectric system circuit may be used with the machine of FIGS. 2-14 and 17-19 by eliminating photoelectric system 46.

Connection is made to a three phase a-c line through switch 123 which supplies power to the hot melt reservoir 222 (FIG. 17 to transformer 131 which supplies single phase voltage to the control system and to the coils of the magnetic starters for motors 124, 126, 128, 57 and 130.

The infeed motor 126 operates the roller 79 just inside gate 76 to control the feed of cases to machine 32 at the proper time. Compression or discharge motor 128 operates the lower compression rollers to thereby move the case through the compression section and deliver the cases to exit conveyor 74. Hydraulic pump motor 124 operates the piston 68 for the elevator and piston 82 for the side guides. Pistons 88, which move the support plates, are operated by air supplied from the plants compressed air system. Main drive or flight bar motor 130 moves the cases through bed 33.

After switch 123 is closed, switch 132 is closed to supply power to the photoelectric cell systems 42, 44 and 52 and start switch 138 is closed to start machine 32. Switches 136 are stop switches which are located at strategic locations to permit an operator to stop the machine. Thermistor 134 is normally open and closes when thehot melt reservoir reaches the proper temperature, nominally 300 F.

If the hot melt temperature is high enough and switches 123, 138, 136 are closed, current will flow through control-relay 140 thereby closing normally open contacts 140-1, 140-2, and 140-3 (lines L 105 and L 106). Hydraulic motor 124 (line L 107) is turned on by closing switch 142 and control is now available to the side guides and elevator. At the same time, contacts 140-1 close the circuit across the start switch 138 (line L 105).

The circuit is made through normally closed contact 180-5 (line L 108) to start infeed motor 126 and compression motor 128 (line L 109). Infeed motor 126 drives the roller 79 located just inside gate 76.

When the case interrupts the light in photoelectric system 42, contact 42-1 (line L 110) closes and sole noid 144 operates the infeed gate 76 to the down position to allow the case to enter the machine nd current flows in relay 146 closing contact 146-2 (line L 111) and opening contact 146-1 (line L 110). Contact 146-3 (line L 112) is also closed and if the case has cleared photoelectric system 42, contact 42-2, which is normally closed, recloses. If the case has not cleared that point, no power isapplied to control relay 150. If

it has cleared, current flows in relay 150 and time delayrelay 148.Then, time delay relay contacts 148-1 and 148-2, which are normally .closed, time out to open after a predetermined period.

If the case 20 is too high when entering the machine, it interrupts the light beam in photoelectric system 52. This opens contact 52-1 (line L 110) and keeps gate 76 from dropping, thereby precluding the entry of another case onto bed 33. At the same time, contact 52-2 (line L 141) closes and the elevator moves up until the light beam of photoelectric system 5215 uninterrupted. Then contact 52-2 opens and upward movement of the elevator stops.

When case 20 interrupts the light in photoelectric system 42, contact 42-1 (line L 110) closes and c'urrent flows in solenoid 144, causing infeed gate 76 to drop to its down position and admit the case onto the bed. At the same time, current flows in relay 146 (line L 111) and contact 146-1 (line L 110) opens and contact 146-2 (line 111) closes and contact 146-3 (line L 112) also closes. If the case has cleared photoelectric system 42, normally closed contact 42-2 (line L 112) relcoses and current flows in relay 150 (line L 1 12) and time delay relay 148 (line L 113). Then time delay relay contacts 148-1 (line L111) and 148-2 (line L r 113) time out and open after the prescribed period.

The opening of time delay relay 148 contacts brings tthe gate back up and return relays 146 and 150 back toa doe-energized position for'the next case.

When normally open contact 150-2 (line L 115) closes, current flows in relay 154 if the beam in photoelectric system 44 is uninterrupted. This energizes con trol relay 154 (line L 115) which opens the circuit of line L 110(contact 154-1) and closes contacts 154-2 (line L 114) and 154-3 (line L116). This energizes control relay 156 (line L 116), time delay relay 157 (line L 117) and control relay 159(line L 119). If the case has not cleared photoelectric system 42, no current flows in control relay 150 or time delay relay 148.

When the case interrupts the light in photoelectric system 44, contact 44-1 (line L 114) opens and contact 44-2 (line L 120) closes. Thus, current does not flow in control relay 154 (line L and in control relay 156 (line L 116). This causes the main flight bar to stop. Contact 154-1 (line L 110) opens, thereby preventing infeed gate 76 which is normally up, from being dropped. This precludes entry of another case ontobed 33. Contact 154-2 (line L 114) and contact 154-3 (line L 116) close. Contact 154-2 serves to hold control relay 154 closed and contact 154-3 serves to complete the circuit to relay 156 when contact 44-1 is closed.

The elevator moves down and the side guides move into position thereby closing the switches 104 and 105 on line L 126 and onswitch 55 on line L 127. This restarts the flight bar motor 130 and pushes the care along the bed 33.

When case 20 passes through the beam of photoelectric system 44 so that it no longer interrupts the light, normally closed contact 44-1 (line L 114) recloses and current flows in control relay 156 (line L 116) if relay 154 or relay 156 is energized. Contact 156-1 (line L 117) keeps relay 156 energized and control relay 159 (line L 119) is kept energized by contact 159-2 (line L120). Contact 159-3 (line L 123) closes and permits current to flow in solenoid 162 to start side guides 40 toward each other. 2

When the side guides 40 make contact with the case 20,.the closed sections of limit switches 104 (line L 123) and 105 (line L 124) are opened and solenoid 162 is de-energized. This stops the inward movement of the side guides. It can be seen that these closed sections are in parallel so that if a case enters the .bed off center, the side guides will continue to move inward until both side guides engage the case.

The open sections of limit switches 104 and 105 (line L 126)-both close when the side guides 40 are in contact with the case thereby energizing solenoid 166 and moving the elevator 48 down. At the same time control relay 164 (line L 124) is energized and held so by contact 164-2 (line L 125).

When limit switch 55 is contacted by bar 54 (FlG. 9), the current to solenoid 166 is interrupted by the opening of its closed portion (line L126) and the downward movement of elevator 48 is arrested. At the same time, the open portion of switch 55 (line L 127) closes and thereby energizes control relay 168. Contact 168-4 (line L 128) holds itenergized. Contacts 168-1 and 168-2 (line L 121) close and since contacts 164-5 and 176-3 are already losed, rear flap closing motor 57 starts and closes the rear flap of the case since flight bar motor 130 had also been started when contact 168-1 closed.

Control relay 182 (line L 137) was also energized by switch 55 and is held closed by contact.182-3 (line L 138). Contact 182-1 (line L 122) closes and energizes solenoid which controls pistons 88 to drop the bottom side panels of the case. i

The application of hot melt to the leading flaps is controlled by solenoids and 192 and switches 106 and 206 which are struck by the case. The application of hot melt to the trailing flaps is controlled by solenoids 190 and 192 and switches 108 and 202 which are struck by the flight bar.

Switches 216 (line L 142) and 218 (line L 143) are closed when it is desired to apply adhesive to the top and bottom flaps, respectively and are opened if no application of adhesive is desired. When ase 20 is leaving the compression section, it contacts switch 200 (FIG. 16). The open section of switch 200 (line L 131) closes and energizes control relay 172 (line L 130). Contact 172-1 (line L 130) closes, thereby holding relay 172 energized. Contact 172-2 also closes. When switch 200 falls out of contact with the case, relay 174 is energized dropping out relays 172 and 174 and opening contacts 174-1 on line L 128 to drop out relay 168.

The flight bar contacts limit switch 201 (line L 134) which energizes solenoid 186 (line L 140) and thereby moves the side guides out. The flight bar also contacts limit switch 203 (line L 138) which de-energizes control relay 182 which in turn de-energizes solenoid 160 (line L 122). I

Upon the flight bars contacting of limit switch 198 (line L 125), the switch opens and control relay 156 (line L 116) is de-energized. Control relay 180 (line L 136) is the run and clear control relay and works in conjunction with the run and clear switch 152. Switch 208 (line L 135) is a flight reset switch which is used after clearing a jam.

Time delay relay 158 (line L 120) is energized when contacts 164-5 and 168-1 (line L 121) close and is used to delay the start of flight motor 130 through contact 158-1. Time delay relay 157 (line L 117) is used in case of a jam. It is energized when control relay 156 is energized and after a predetermined time, contact 157-1 (line L 105) will open and turn the machine off in the event that limit switch 198 has not been contacted by the flight bar 77.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A machine for closing and sealing random size, product filled, cases with their top and bottom closure flaps unsealed comprising:

a bed having an entrance end and an exit end;

first moving means for moving the cases along the bed from the entrance end to the exit end; gate means at the entrance end movable between a first position wherein a case is precluded from entering onto the bed and a second position wherein such entrance is permitted;

an elevator mounted above the bed and movable vertically with respect thereto between an upper position and a lower position;

second moving means for moving the elevator between the upper position and the lower position; height sensing means affixed to the elevator for sensing the height of a case entering onto the bed and cooperating with the second moving means to thereby move the elevator to the proper height; a pair of movable side guides mounted adjacent the bed with one on each side of the bed which adjust to the width of the case and provide a path along the bed;

means affixed to the elevator for closing the upper leading and trailing flaps;

a pair of hinged plates, there being one affixed to each side guide, to support the bottom side flaps of the case;

a pair of support plates mounted opposite each other on the sides of the bed and below the hinged plates and pivotable from a first position wherein support plates are horizontal to a second position wherein the support plates permit the hinged plates to drop and the lower side flaps of the case to open sufficiently to permit access to the lower inner flaps while precluding product carried in the case from the dropping out of the case;

first adhesive applying means for applying adhesive to the upper inner flaps of the case mounted on the elevator;

second adhesive applying means for applying adhesive to the lower inner flaps of the case mounted adjacent the bed;

control means connected to the elevator and the frame to control the limits between which adhesive is applied to the upper and the lower inner flaps commensurate with the width of the case and the length of the inner flaps to permit the maximum amount of adhesive to be applied to the flaps without applying any adhesive to the product;

means affixed to the elevator for closing the upper side flaps as the case moves along the bed;

first compression means mounted in the bed and second compression means mounted on the elevator which cooperate to hold the flaps closed to thereby set the adhesive as the case moves toward the exit end of the bed.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the height sensing means comprises:

a U-shaped frame with the arms of the U pointing down;

a photoelectric cell at the end of one arm of the U;

a source of light at the end of the other arm of the U so that the light beam from the source of light to the photoelectric cell is interrupted by the upstanding side flaps of the case.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the adhesive applying means are hot melt guns. I

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the first moving means for moving the cases along the bed is a plurality of transverse flight bars, one of which engages the rear of a case to thereby push it through the frame on demand as each operation is completed.

5. The invention of claim 2 wherein the first moving means for moving the cases along the bed is a plurality of transverse flight bars, one of which engages the rear of a case to thereby pushit through the frame on demand as each operation is completed.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first moving means for moving the cases along the bed is a plurality of transverse flight bars, one of which engages the rear of a case to thereby push it through the frame on demand as each operation is completed.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 769 ,777 Dated Nmlembg: 5 913 Inventor(s It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 15, "closed," should read closed;-- Column 4, line 43, "re" should read --are-- Column 5, line 20, "2 should read -52-- l l n Column 5, line 47, "dcontinues" should read --continues- Column 6, line 54, "uniterrupted" should read '-uninterrup-ted- Column 9, line 22, "nd" should read --and-- Column 9, line Sl, "relcoses" shouldread -recloses-- Column 9, line 56, "tthe" should read --the-- Column 10, line 17, "care" should read --case-- Column 11, line 2, "ase" should read --case- Signed and sealed this 30th day of April l97h.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD ILFLETGHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM Po-mso (10-69) uscoM -Dc scans-p69 1' us, GOVERNMENT Ppmnns or'i'lc: :ISS 0-356-3" 

1. A machine for closing and sealing random size, product filled, cases with their top and bottom closure flaps unsealed comprising: a bed having an entrance end and an exit end; first moving means for moving the cases along the bed from the entrance end to the exit end; gate means at the entrance end movable between a first position wherein a case is precluded from entering onto the bed and a second position wherein such entrance is permitted; an elevator mounted above the bed and movable vertically with respect thereto between an upper position and a lower position; second moving means for moving the elevator between the upper position and the lower position; height sensing means affixed to the elevator for sensing the height of a case entering onto the bed and cooperating with the second moving means to thereby move the elevator to the proper height; a pair of movable side guides mounted adjacent the bed with one on each side of the bed which adjust to the width of the case and provide a path along the bed; means affixed to the elevator for closing the upper leading and trailing flaps; a pair of hinged plates, there being one affixed to each side guide, to support the bottom side flaps of the case; a pair of support plates mounted opposite each other on the sides of the bed and below the hinged plates and pivotable from a first position wherein support plates are horizontal to a second position wherein the support plates permit the hinged plates to drop and the lower side flaps of the case to open sufficiently to permit access to the lower inner flaps while precluding product carried in the case from the dropping out of the case; first adhesive applying means for applying adhesive to the upper inner flaps of the case mounted on the elevator; second adhesive applying means for applying adhesive to the lower inner flaps of the case mounted adjacent the bed; control means connected to the elevator and the frame to control the limits Between which adhesive is applied to the upper and the lower inner flaps commensurate with the width of the case and the length of the inner flaps to permit the maximum amount of adhesive to be applied to the flaps without applying any adhesive to the product; means affixed to the elevator for closing the upper side flaps as the case moves along the bed; first compression means mounted in the bed and second compression means mounted on the elevator which cooperate to hold the flaps closed to thereby set the adhesive as the case moves toward the exit end of the bed.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the height sensing means comprises: a U-shaped frame with the arms of the U pointing down; a photoelectric cell at the end of one arm of the U; a source of light at the end of the other arm of the U so that the light beam from the source of light to the photoelectric cell is interrupted by the upstanding side flaps of the case.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the adhesive applying means are hot melt guns.
 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the first moving means for moving the cases along the bed is a plurality of transverse flight bars, one of which engages the rear of a case to thereby push it through the frame on demand as each operation is completed.
 5. The invention of claim 2 wherein the first moving means for moving the cases along the bed is a plurality of transverse flight bars, one of which engages the rear of a case to thereby push it through the frame on demand as each operation is completed.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the first moving means for moving the cases along the bed is a plurality of transverse flight bars, one of which engages the rear of a case to thereby push it through the frame on demand as each operation is completed. 